ForTheRecordmag.com   |   View web version
For The Record e-Newsletter
Magazine
Subscribe or Renew
Give a Gift
Digital Edition
May 2019 Connect with us Facebook Twitter Sign up  |  Archive  |  Advertise
Editor's e-Note
As value-based care slowly takes hold, smart health care organizations are evolving in order to stay out in front of the changes. It’s a complicated but essential process that will pay off in long-term dividends.

To meet this challenge, health care organizations are assessing the status of their revenue cycle management models. This month’s E-News Exclusive examines how primary care providers and behavioral health can work in tandem to achieve revenue cycle gains during these changing times.

Lee DeOrio, editor
e-News Exclusive
Four Ways RCM Can Support the Latest in Collaborative Care
By Charlie Hutchinson

One of the upsides of value-based care is the emphasis on collaboration. Integrated care is no longer an obscure concept, but one employed regularly by providers.

Regulations such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model offer primary care providers (PCPs) and behavioral health (BH) providers incentives for working together to provide high-quality care and improve clinical outcomes. Teamwork is also a key component of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System program under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act as a means to achieve Triple Aim goals: better health, lower costs, and a superior care experience. As expected, private health payers are following suit, rolling out care coordination and risk-based, shared-savings plans or contracting with providers through bundled payment programs.

However, we’re still playing catch-up on the revenue cycle management (RCM) side.

Many providers still rely on simpler, more straightforward approaches to RCM, centered on billing and collections and tailored to fee-for-service paradigms. On top of that, existing infrastructure doesn’t always support these complex collaborative care models; staff productivity and patient experience may suffer as a result.

Full story »
ACDIS Preview
Chart a Course for ACDIS
By Heather Hogstrom

Featuring the theme “Charting the Course,” the 12th Annual Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS) Conference will be held May 20–23 in Kissimmee, Florida, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. With Walt Disney World close by, ACDIS attendees may wish to take advantage of the convention discounts available for theme park tickets.

Natalie Stavas, MD, a physician at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, will deliver the keynote “Running Toward Chaos.” Stavas has first-hand experience with running toward chaos when, as a runner in the 2013 Boston marathon, she sprinted toward the finish line to act as a first responder helping those wounded by the bombings. The conference will also feature “OIG Work Plan and Current Initiatives” by Truman Mayfield, CPA, CPE, and Scott Perry, CPA, and “How to Be the Lion in Your Mirror” by Joe Tye.

Read more »
Industry Insight
Artificial Intelligence Can Predict Survival of Ovarian Cancer Patients

Artificial intelligence software created by researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Melbourne has been able to predict the prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer more accurately than current methods. It can also predict what treatment would be most effective for patients following diagnosis.

The trial, published in Nature Communications, took place at Hammersmith Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust.

Researchers say that this new technology could help clinicians administer the best treatments to patients more quickly and paves the way for more personalized medicine. They hope that the technology can be used to stratify ovarian cancer patients into groups based on the subtle differences in the texture of their cancer on CT scans rather than classification based on what type of cancer they have or how advanced it is.

Read more »
Products & Services
Computers Made Effective Partners With IM Your Doc
Computers Made Effective is now partnering with IM Your Doc to provide a high-growth, HIPAA-compliant, real-time messaging solution to their clients. Many physician groups already working with Computers Made Effective will be able to add IM Your Doc messaging to the suite of products they use, both easily and affordably. IM Your Doc is a real-time, mobile messaging and video consult application based in a fully HIPAA-compliant digital environment. The IM Your Doc platform connects providers to both internal and external providers as well as connecting patients to practices. It leverages real-time delivery and notifications to boost responsiveness and engagement. IM Your Doc has a variety of features including easily downloading transcripts into an EHR/EMR, video consults, voice to text, secure image sharing, open-network communication, and seven years of archived messages. Learn more »

MedKaz Provides Targeted Record Sharing for Care Coordination
Patients can now remotely and frictionlessly share copies of their records from one doctor with their other doctors. Targeted Record Sharing enables patients to e-mail the records of their recent encounters automatically, remotely, and securely to their primary care provider and all providers who treat them for the same illness. In turn, the providers can quickly review the care the patient is receiving and immediately alert the patient and their other providers if the prescribed care, meds, or procedures create a problem. New subscribers will receive the Targeted Record Sharing update when they sign up for MedKaz; current subscribers are being notified to update their MedKaz to enjoy this new feature. Learn more »

Code Releases Health Care Battery Case for iPhone
Code recently released the CR7000 series health care mobile battery case. The durable protector for the iPhone 7 and 8 completely shields your valuable electronics while maximizing uptime with its quick-swappable battery, all in a compact package made to stand up to the toughest disinfecting chemicals. Constructed with market-leading CodeShield plastics and Dragontrail glass, the CR7000 completely safeguards the iPhone 7 and 8 in an IP54-sealed enclosure. The quick-swap battery more than doubles the runtime of the iPhone, with a built-in gauge to let users know when it’s time to grab more power. With the push of a button, they can easily exchange for a fully charged battery from one of Code’s enterprise chargers, all without removing the iPhone from the protective case. Users can rapidly charge up to 10 batteries at a time so full power is always on hand, and a variety of mounting configurations means chargers are easily accessible wherever they are needed. Additionally, BatteryTrak gives administrators visibility to the age of their batteries and helps them plan appropriately for replacements. Learn more »
 
In this e-Newsletter
Recently in For The Record
What’s Your Business Associate Agreement Strategy?
Staying in tune with vendors and the like is a key piece of any strong compliance effort. Read more »

A Measured Approach to Quality
Some measures hit the mark while others seem to be off target. It’s this discrepancy that makes it difficult for all those along the health care continuum to get an accurate read on performance. Read more »

Of Viral Importance
Facilities that emphasize the proper coding of pneumonia benefit in numerous ways, including maintaining their quality scores. Read more »

Mitigating Risks Associated With Research Data
In the era of big data, health care organizations must be especially vigilant with how they manage health research. Read more »
AAPC News
Tweets From AAPC HEALTHCON

@aapcstaff
Karen DeSalvo Kicks Off HEALTHCON. See DeSalvo’s thoughts from her presentation on how social determinants factor into a patient’s health. https://hubs.ly/H0hGmcC0 #AAPC #HEALTHCON2019 #KnowledgeCenter #MedicalCoding #MedicalBilling #SocialDeterminants #HealthCare

‏‏@RhondaBuckholtz
The inspiring @KBDeSalvo speaking at #HCON19 @aapcstaff What great insight!

@darcifriedman
Dr. Karen DeSalvo on #socialdeterminants in healthcare #healthcon19

@WolfJo84
A great leadership session last night and now the kickoff to the conference! #hcon19 @ Caesars Palace

@PellRoberta
Love how we start our meeting #aapc #hcon19

Read more »
Other News
Indian Doctors Moonlight as Virtual Scribes
Instead of medical scribes accompanying US physicians as they meet with patients, India-based physicians are listening in real time as virtual scribes, reports The Indian Express.

How Epic and Cerner Will Retain Control of the EHR Market
Together, EHR vendors Cerner and Epic controlled 85% of the large hospital market last year, according to Business Insider.
Ask the Expert
Have a coding or documentation question? Get an expert answer by sending an email to edit@gvpub.com.
Advertising Opportunities
For The Record offers many flexible advertising programs designed to maximize your results. From print advertising to e-newsletter sponsorships, website advertising to custom e-mail marketing, For The Record helps maximize your investment. Email our experienced account executives today for more information or call 800-278-4400!

Coming up in our August 2019 issue is our Education Resource Guide. Contact sales for more information.

Jobs.AlliedHealthCareers.com is the premier online resource to recruit HIM professionals. Post your open positions, view résumés and showcase your facility's offerings all at Jobs.AlliedHealthCareers.com!
A Secure, Anonymous Résumé Bank
Job Alerts Sent to Your E-mail
Gift Shop
For The Record's online gift shop features a wide variety of items for HIM professionals for any occasion. Whether you are searching for products to give friends or colleagues, hand out to clients, or wear yourself, finding the right gifts is easy and affordable at For The Record's online gift shop. Choose from t-shirts, journals, clocks, buttons, mouse pads, and much more! Check out our secure online shop today or call toll-free 877-809-1659 for easy and fast ordering.